Poppies Fish and Chips of Spitalfields opens in Hawley Crescent today, on a site which has never quite worked; but we think this concept is a winner and advise you to head down. That is, if you’re not embarking on a four day relative crawl around the country.
Kentish Town-based interior design studio Avocado Sweets (a finalist in the 2012 Society of British Interior Design awards, no less) have created the space, a homage to London in the 40s and 50s, complete with fancy things like a restored 1948 vintage Jukebox, original 40s projector, reclaimed cinema seating, pendant lighting and period six-seater bar. The memorabilia will be set against a back-drop of traditionally-made Victorian tiles on the floor and walls.
But of course it’s all about the fish and chips. “70 year-old master fryer and owner Pat Newland is a bit of legend in the East End,” says Michael from Poppies. “The chips are peeled and handcut on site from British farmed maris piper potatoes supplied by a 4th generation family business, the fish – delivered fresh every day from Billingsgate – is sustainably sourced and harvested, and it’s all cooked in the most delicious crunchy fresh batter from a secret family recipe of Pat’s.”
Yum. And good for them too as Poppies are utilizing all our local assets – Marine Ices in Chalk Farm, ales from Camden Town Brewery, and sausages from the Ginger Pig down the road in Marylebone. Bread rolls are baked locally too.
There’s a piano which anyone can use, and with that in mind, on this opening weekend (from midday today, in fact) there’s an enticing live music schedule to tempt Kentishtowners to swing by. Shane Hampsheir, a big band and swing performer who has played with the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, provides the lunchtime tuneage, while kicking off tonight’s entertainment is Isha Uke, a ukulele performer, and The Goosebumps, a high-octane swing, jive, and blues five piece.
And the festivities continue throughout the holiday with Fat45, an eight piece jump jive band tomorrow (from 730pm), and on Easter Day, at 12 noon, That’s What She Said, a ukelele-based trio from Kent.
We’ll let you know more about the food, of course, when we’ve sampled its wares.
2 thoughts on “Poppies 1940s fish shop launches in Camden Town today”
6 of us went to Poppies Fish & Chips at 2.30pm on Easter Sunday. Beautifully designed. waitresses look amazing – fab outfits. or waitresses were all French. The place was rammed. Got squashed onto a table for 4 after a 20 minute wait. All fish had sold out except for cod and haddock. Starters came after the main courses had arrived. Food was good. Conversation was shouty due to loud opera music.
Will definitely return – on a less busy day – want to try the mackerel!
I have to point out that Marine Ices’ ices are made in Suffolk now, and I assume you mean the ‘Camden Town’ brewery (that has never been based in Camden Town!) – they brew craft beers at the moment, not ales. There’s an important distinction!
But I look forward to trying it, good chippies are thin on the ground – although the loud music puts me off a bit.